1
00:00:00,967 --> 00:00:03,103
[music]
2
00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000
Downloaded from
YTS.BZ
3
00:00:03,103 --> 00:00:05,772
[Male narrator] Patagonia.
4
00:00:06,873 --> 00:00:10,677
One of the most beautiful and
ruthless landscapes on Earth.
5
00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000
Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.BZ
6
00:00:12,879 --> 00:00:16,683
Yet each year, she offers
a tiny gap for survival.
7
00:00:19,185 --> 00:00:22,255
Many return to her rich
coastlines to breed.
8
00:00:26,059 --> 00:00:28,228
And raise vulnerable young.
9
00:00:32,365 --> 00:00:34,534
Thousands come home to feed.
10
00:00:38,738 --> 00:00:41,141
Others, to hunt.
11
00:00:43,410 --> 00:00:47,113
Some cross entire oceans
looking for a mate.
12
00:00:48,715 --> 00:00:51,718
Or to forage in her
ancient forests.
13
00:00:57,190 --> 00:00:59,826
All her creatures
bow to the seasons.
14
00:01:02,162 --> 00:01:04,531
To move is to survive
15
00:01:05,598 --> 00:01:09,369
in the wild extremes
of Patagonia.
16
00:01:09,369 --> 00:01:15,275
[music]
17
00:01:35,328 --> 00:01:39,132
It's August, deep winter
in the far south of Chile.
18
00:01:44,871 --> 00:01:48,408
One of Patagonia's largest
mammals is on the move.
19
00:01:55,682 --> 00:01:58,685
Herds of guanacos descend
from their alpine pastures
20
00:01:58,685 --> 00:02:00,286
in the Andes,
21
00:02:00,286 --> 00:02:04,257
4,000 feet down to the more
sheltered valleys below.
22
00:02:15,535 --> 00:02:18,872
They're uniquely adapted
for living at high altitudes.
23
00:02:18,872 --> 00:02:24,143
And a thick fur coat protects
them from the icy 70 mph winds.
24
00:02:26,212 --> 00:02:29,849
But it's the snow and ice
that forces them to leave.
25
00:02:29,849 --> 00:02:32,352
There's little grass on offer.
26
00:02:36,856 --> 00:02:39,759
This is a group of survivors.
27
00:02:39,759 --> 00:02:44,163
Resilient females and
last year's strongest young.
28
00:02:48,835 --> 00:02:53,339
A single adult male watches over
his family and frozen territory.
29
00:02:56,809 --> 00:02:59,312
They'll return here next spring,
30
00:02:59,312 --> 00:03:03,082
but now,
they must move or starve.
31
00:03:07,186 --> 00:03:09,689
With the descent comes danger.
32
00:03:09,689 --> 00:03:13,693
The guanacos are easier to hunt
on the lower, open plains.
33
00:03:15,194 --> 00:03:18,031
This family knows it.
34
00:03:25,905 --> 00:03:28,641
Hungry eyes watch closely.
35
00:03:31,344 --> 00:03:34,681
Condors will pick apart any
stragglers left behind.
36
00:03:39,886 --> 00:03:41,754
There's a greater danger.
37
00:03:41,754 --> 00:03:45,358
Not from the air,
but down on the ground.
38
00:03:52,932 --> 00:03:55,034
Puma.
39
00:03:58,905 --> 00:04:00,506
The guanacos
aren't the only ones
40
00:04:00,506 --> 00:04:03,109
looking to make it
through the winter.
41
00:04:06,212 --> 00:04:10,383
The snow starts to thin out
below 1,000 feet.
42
00:04:12,585 --> 00:04:15,622
And as more guanacos
stream into the valleys,
43
00:04:15,622 --> 00:04:18,057
families unite.
44
00:04:21,694 --> 00:04:25,498
The bigger the herd, the better
the chance of survival.
45
00:04:27,934 --> 00:04:30,003
For the strong,
these lower plains
46
00:04:30,003 --> 00:04:32,705
will provide enough food
for winter.
47
00:04:40,680 --> 00:04:43,750
Those that survive will
return to their higher pastures
48
00:04:43,750 --> 00:04:46,953
once the snow melts.
49
00:04:46,953 --> 00:04:50,623
Just in time for the expecting
mothers to give birth.
50
00:04:54,427 --> 00:04:57,630
An event relished by
one mother puma.
51
00:05:06,172 --> 00:05:09,409
She's been tracking the herds
down the mountains.
52
00:05:17,650 --> 00:05:21,220
Her home range covers
over 50 square miles.
53
00:05:23,656 --> 00:05:26,959
She's just as desperate
to secure a good meal.
54
00:05:26,959 --> 00:05:33,066
[music]
55
00:05:38,438 --> 00:05:41,140
Her cubs' lives depend on it.
56
00:05:46,212 --> 00:05:47,780
At only three months old,
57
00:05:47,780 --> 00:05:50,683
they're too young to
hunt by themselves.
58
00:05:54,554 --> 00:06:00,393
[music]
59
00:06:03,129 --> 00:06:05,398
To make it through winter,
they have no option
60
00:06:05,398 --> 00:06:08,134
but to follow the herds down.
61
00:06:13,306 --> 00:06:17,410
The migrating guanacos could be
their only lifeline.
62
00:06:23,082 --> 00:06:25,651
By mid-September,
the first signs of spring
63
00:06:25,651 --> 00:06:29,689
bring an inkling of warmth along
the east coast of Argentina.
64
00:06:36,295 --> 00:06:40,333
For the past few months, just
beyond the Valdes Peninsula,
65
00:06:40,333 --> 00:06:42,068
dusky dolphins
have been escorting
66
00:06:42,068 --> 00:06:44,704
long-distance travelers
in from the deep.
67
00:06:50,176 --> 00:06:53,012
Southern right whales.
68
00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:56,516
These giants feed in
the plankton-rich waters
69
00:06:56,516 --> 00:06:58,751
off Antarctica.
70
00:07:02,255 --> 00:07:03,723
But a slight rise in temperature
71
00:07:03,723 --> 00:07:06,893
draws them to Patagonia's
coastline to mate,
72
00:07:06,893 --> 00:07:10,062
give birth,
and nurse their young.
73
00:07:15,434 --> 00:07:20,106
By the end of winter, their
numbers peak at around 2,000.
74
00:07:24,210 --> 00:07:26,412
During the coming months
of spring,
75
00:07:26,412 --> 00:07:30,183
the warmer, protected bays
are the ideal nursery.
76
00:07:33,653 --> 00:07:35,855
This youngster's a rarity.
77
00:07:36,722 --> 00:07:40,960
Only five percent of southern
right whales are born white,
78
00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,663
though it will darken with age.
79
00:07:44,564 --> 00:07:46,966
They'll hide out here until the
calves are strong enough
80
00:07:46,966 --> 00:07:51,304
to make the arduous journey
back to Antarctica in December.
81
00:07:56,576 --> 00:07:58,311
The whales aren't the
only ones drawn to
82
00:07:58,311 --> 00:08:01,147
Patagonia's warming coastline.
83
00:08:04,317 --> 00:08:06,919
150 miles south of Valdes,
84
00:08:06,919 --> 00:08:10,456
the beaches of Punta Tombo
are empty.
85
00:08:11,791 --> 00:08:14,060
But not for long.
86
00:08:17,163 --> 00:08:20,132
Close to half a million
Magellanic penguins
87
00:08:20,132 --> 00:08:22,168
are about to make landfall.
88
00:08:24,470 --> 00:08:30,376
[music]
89
00:08:37,750 --> 00:08:39,418
These solitary animals
90
00:08:39,418 --> 00:08:42,688
have spent winter widely
dispersed across the Atlantic.
91
00:08:44,457 --> 00:08:48,194
Yet, each year,
they come together to breed.
92
00:08:49,762 --> 00:08:52,031
The males arrive first.
93
00:08:54,300 --> 00:08:58,304
This male's swum over a thousand
miles to get here,
94
00:08:58,304 --> 00:09:01,607
to the biggest event
of the penguin year.
95
00:09:02,642 --> 00:09:05,978
The pressure's now on to claim
a burrow in which to nest
96
00:09:05,978 --> 00:09:08,347
before his partner arrives.
97
00:09:11,751 --> 00:09:15,154
But the best real estate
is selling out fast.
98
00:09:19,425 --> 00:09:22,662
Rival males have already
staked their claims.
99
00:09:34,006 --> 00:09:36,375
He's found the last gem.
100
00:09:38,477 --> 00:09:41,747
But if he wants it,
he'll have to defend it.
101
00:09:48,788 --> 00:09:51,123
It's a rough neighborhood.
102
00:09:51,123 --> 00:09:54,627
There's little respect
for squatter's rights.
103
00:09:56,929 --> 00:09:59,966
It's every male for himself.
104
00:09:59,966 --> 00:10:06,072
[music]
105
00:10:27,426 --> 00:10:31,130
Victorious, he moves into
his hard-won burrow.
106
00:10:33,499 --> 00:10:37,003
Abandoned since last summer,
this soon-to-be nursery
107
00:10:37,003 --> 00:10:39,605
is in serious need
of renovations.
108
00:10:47,380 --> 00:10:49,749
Some new furnishings will help.
109
00:10:56,288 --> 00:10:59,525
Everything must be
perfect for the Mrs.
110
00:11:01,627 --> 00:11:04,430
Magellanic penguins
mate for life,
111
00:11:04,430 --> 00:11:06,899
and these reuniting pairs
haven't seen each other
112
00:11:06,899 --> 00:11:09,468
for over five months.
113
00:11:10,936 --> 00:11:16,008
At last, after two weeks of
preparation, the ladies arrive.
114
00:11:18,510 --> 00:11:20,846
[Narrator]
Exhausted from their travels,
115
00:11:20,846 --> 00:11:23,148
females have to locate
their life partners
116
00:11:23,148 --> 00:11:26,451
in a sprawl
of 400,000 penguins.
117
00:11:30,088 --> 00:11:33,392
[penguins calling]
118
00:11:34,292 --> 00:11:37,462
Each male has a different call.
119
00:11:39,297 --> 00:11:42,467
She recognizes his
above all the others.
120
00:11:43,802 --> 00:11:47,806
[penguins calling]
121
00:11:55,247 --> 00:11:57,983
Each year, they migrate
thousands of miles
122
00:11:57,983 --> 00:12:01,553
to this exact spot to reunite.
123
00:12:01,553 --> 00:12:07,459
[music]
124
00:12:15,033 --> 00:12:18,136
He shows off his moves
to seal the deal.
125
00:12:20,739 --> 00:12:26,645
[music]
126
00:12:32,417 --> 00:12:35,253
Turns out, he's still got it.
127
00:12:43,028 --> 00:12:47,799
She'll lay two eggs, incubated
and cared for by both parents.
128
00:12:50,569 --> 00:12:54,573
Each take turns to head
back out to sea to feed.
129
00:12:57,409 --> 00:13:01,613
If all goes well, the eggs will
hatch in around six weeks.
130
00:13:01,613 --> 00:13:03,281
But the chicks will have
little time
131
00:13:03,281 --> 00:13:05,851
to enjoy the security
of the beach.
132
00:13:06,785 --> 00:13:09,988
They must learn to swim
and fend for themselves
133
00:13:09,988 --> 00:13:14,392
in the southern Atlantic Ocean
before winter returns.
134
00:13:17,562 --> 00:13:21,233
By October, the warmth of spring
reaches the high alpine meadows
135
00:13:21,233 --> 00:13:23,702
in southern Chile.
136
00:13:26,271 --> 00:13:28,874
The winter fortress of
Torres del Paine
137
00:13:28,874 --> 00:13:31,309
gives way to a new landscape.
138
00:13:37,482 --> 00:13:42,320
Spring flowers bloom and
the mountain rivers swell.
139
00:13:44,422 --> 00:13:50,328
[music]
140
00:13:55,567 --> 00:13:58,103
A resident torrent duck
has learned to master
141
00:13:58,103 --> 00:14:01,072
these icy rapids.
142
00:14:03,241 --> 00:14:06,511
Big feet provide grip
on the slippery rocks.
143
00:14:06,511 --> 00:14:09,014
And stiff tail feathers
help brace against
144
00:14:09,014 --> 00:14:11,383
the full force of the water
145
00:14:11,383 --> 00:14:15,520
as he searches for fresh insect
larvae hidden under the rocks.
146
00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:27,666
[music]
147
00:14:32,170 --> 00:14:34,639
While on the alpine slopes,
148
00:14:34,639 --> 00:14:36,942
Patagonian fox cubs
eagerly await
149
00:14:36,942 --> 00:14:40,078
their mother's return with food.
150
00:14:44,749 --> 00:14:49,287
Spring brings new opportunities
to both predator and prey.
151
00:14:52,357 --> 00:14:54,593
A carpet of rich,
emerald grasses
152
00:14:54,593 --> 00:14:58,597
lures the guanaco herds
back to higher pastures.
153
00:15:03,568 --> 00:15:07,572
It's now a race for food
to build up milk supplies.
154
00:15:09,307 --> 00:15:13,011
The new calves will be
arriving any day now.
155
00:15:18,016 --> 00:15:22,087
This pregnant female joins up
with other expectant mothers.
156
00:15:32,230 --> 00:15:35,767
These maternal groups offer
support and protection.
157
00:15:37,435 --> 00:15:41,339
Because birthing is the most
dangerous time of the year.
158
00:15:51,750 --> 00:15:54,519
The female puma continues
to track the herds
159
00:15:54,519 --> 00:15:57,455
as they move back
up the mountain.
160
00:15:57,455 --> 00:16:03,294
[music]
161
00:16:09,234 --> 00:16:11,870
Her cubs are growing fast.
162
00:16:11,870 --> 00:16:15,774
They're now around five months
old and weaning off her milk.
163
00:16:21,179 --> 00:16:24,516
They're beginning to get
the taste for fresh meat,
164
00:16:24,516 --> 00:16:28,353
which means she must make a kill
every few days.
165
00:16:31,523 --> 00:16:34,759
The guanacos are now at
their most vulnerable.
166
00:16:39,864 --> 00:16:45,770
[music]
167
00:17:02,654 --> 00:17:06,558
The icy wind is relentless,
regardless of the season.
168
00:17:08,226 --> 00:17:11,529
Wet newborns are at
high risk of hypothermia,
169
00:17:13,431 --> 00:17:15,233
but the guanaco's
too-short tongue
170
00:17:15,233 --> 00:17:17,669
prevents them from
licking them dry.
171
00:17:19,237 --> 00:17:22,073
So the females give
birth at noon,
172
00:17:22,073 --> 00:17:25,043
when the sun is at its highest.
173
00:17:25,043 --> 00:17:30,348
[wind whistling loudly]
174
00:17:30,348 --> 00:17:34,652
With pumas about, he has just
minutes to get to his feet.
175
00:17:39,758 --> 00:17:45,663
[music]
176
00:17:54,606 --> 00:17:57,208
His mother provides shelter
from the wind
177
00:17:57,208 --> 00:17:59,477
while the weak sun
dries his fur.
178
00:18:01,312 --> 00:18:04,549
His thick coat will soon keep
him warm,
179
00:18:04,549 --> 00:18:08,386
while his mother's rich milk
helps build up his strength.
180
00:18:12,857 --> 00:18:14,225
Only one in four youngsters
181
00:18:14,225 --> 00:18:16,594
will make it through
their first year.
182
00:18:21,399 --> 00:18:25,170
Those that don't survive are a
welcome gift for the foxes.
183
00:18:26,905 --> 00:18:29,440
And caracaras.
184
00:18:30,608 --> 00:18:34,612
In Patagonia,
nothing goes to waste.
185
00:18:37,715 --> 00:18:40,251
Mothers need to stay alert.
186
00:18:41,886 --> 00:18:43,688
Beyond the cold wind
187
00:18:43,688 --> 00:18:46,658
and predators that could
kill their calves,
188
00:18:46,658 --> 00:18:49,694
there's another threat
lurking on the horizon.
189
00:18:52,696 --> 00:18:56,099
[Narrator] Lusty males
are a constant danger.
190
00:18:58,502 --> 00:19:02,473
In Patagonia's short summer,
guanacos drop calves,
191
00:19:02,473 --> 00:19:05,242
then immediately mate again.
192
00:19:05,242 --> 00:19:07,444
Bachelors gather on the fringe,
193
00:19:07,444 --> 00:19:10,647
eager to move in
at the first opportunity.
194
00:19:11,548 --> 00:19:14,451
The females aren't
interested yet,
195
00:19:14,451 --> 00:19:17,855
too focused on their newborns.
196
00:19:17,855 --> 00:19:20,724
But ambitious males don't care.
197
00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:29,466
[music]
198
00:19:40,344 --> 00:19:43,680
Mothers try to shield their
young caught in the barrage.
199
00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:52,222
With so many bachelors
hanging around,
200
00:19:52,222 --> 00:19:56,126
male testosterone reaches
a boiling point.
201
00:19:58,228 --> 00:20:01,398
Rivals compete for dominance.
202
00:20:04,935 --> 00:20:09,072
Only the strongest win a
territory and breeding rights.
203
00:20:17,714 --> 00:20:20,250
They target each other's
testicles
204
00:20:20,250 --> 00:20:22,886
with razor-sharp teeth.
205
00:20:22,886 --> 00:20:28,792
[music]
206
00:20:32,029 --> 00:20:33,864
The guanacos battle it out,
207
00:20:33,864 --> 00:20:37,467
oblivious to the hungry eyes
waiting in the wings.
208
00:20:42,773 --> 00:20:46,677
Distraction is what the puma
has been waiting for.
209
00:20:48,912 --> 00:20:54,818
[music]
210
00:21:00,657 --> 00:21:05,162
She uses whatever cover she can
find, but in this open country,
211
00:21:05,162 --> 00:21:07,531
there's little chance
for an ambush.
212
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:13,503
Out here,
it comes down to a chase.
213
00:21:15,205 --> 00:21:18,075
The condors sense
a meal is coming.
214
00:21:24,948 --> 00:21:30,854
[music]
215
00:21:33,290 --> 00:21:36,326
The guanacos spot the puma
on the charge
216
00:21:36,326 --> 00:21:39,663
and try to stick together
so not to become isolated.
217
00:21:43,567 --> 00:21:49,473
[music]
218
00:22:01,685 --> 00:22:04,721
One youngster is disorientated
in the panic.
219
00:22:30,814 --> 00:22:33,750
A guanaco calf is lost,
220
00:22:33,750 --> 00:22:37,854
but the lives of the
puma's cubs are assured.
221
00:22:44,795 --> 00:22:49,666
Above, the cleanup crew
patiently waits its turn.
222
00:22:54,271 --> 00:22:57,174
The males continue their brawls,
223
00:23:00,110 --> 00:23:03,213
and the herd keeps moving.
224
00:23:06,283 --> 00:23:09,653
Now's their chance to get ahead
of the pumas.
225
00:23:09,653 --> 00:23:13,557
An eternal dance
across all the seasons.
226
00:23:19,763 --> 00:23:24,701
It's now late November,
early summer in Patagonia,
227
00:23:24,701 --> 00:23:27,104
which marks the arrival
of one of the smallest migrants
228
00:23:27,104 --> 00:23:29,706
in the world.
229
00:23:31,608 --> 00:23:35,612
These are the ancient Valdivian
Forests of southern Chile.
230
00:23:36,747 --> 00:23:39,249
A vast stretch
of temperate rainforest
231
00:23:39,249 --> 00:23:42,285
rising along the Pacific Coast.
232
00:23:43,520 --> 00:23:46,456
This freeze-free refuge
is now home to species
233
00:23:46,456 --> 00:23:49,359
found nowhere else on Earth.
234
00:23:52,529 --> 00:23:54,297
While others migrate here
235
00:23:54,297 --> 00:23:57,567
to take advantage of
a seasonal feast.
236
00:24:01,404 --> 00:24:05,642
This is the green-backed
firecrown hummingbird.
237
00:24:10,714 --> 00:24:14,684
Each summer, they migrate
hundreds of miles from Argentina
238
00:24:14,684 --> 00:24:17,420
in time for the annual
Quintral bloom.
239
00:24:21,258 --> 00:24:22,726
A parasitic mistletoe
240
00:24:22,726 --> 00:24:26,196
that flowers deep within
this cold forest.
241
00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:33,970
They rely on the sugary nectar
inside to survive
242
00:24:33,970 --> 00:24:36,640
when other flowers are scarce.
243
00:24:38,608 --> 00:24:41,278
Flapping their wings up to
80 beats per second
244
00:24:41,278 --> 00:24:44,414
allows for the ultimate
precision flying.
245
00:24:45,949 --> 00:24:47,851
But to compensate,
they must feed
246
00:24:47,851 --> 00:24:50,420
every ten to fifteen minutes,
247
00:24:51,888 --> 00:24:54,724
which in turn helps pollinate
more than 20%
248
00:24:54,724 --> 00:24:57,594
of the forest's
flowering plants.
249
00:25:04,634 --> 00:25:07,504
December is the
height of summer.
250
00:25:07,504 --> 00:25:11,441
And as the birds follow the
nectar trail along the coast,
251
00:25:11,441 --> 00:25:15,412
it's a very busy time back
at the penguin household.
252
00:25:19,049 --> 00:25:23,286
The Magellanic penguin colony
has nearly doubled in size,
253
00:25:23,286 --> 00:25:26,256
becoming the largest
in the world.
254
00:25:28,391 --> 00:25:31,695
The rookery is
waddling with activity.
255
00:25:33,630 --> 00:25:36,166
The pressure is on for the
five-week-old chicks
256
00:25:36,166 --> 00:25:39,102
to gain weight
before the cold arrives
257
00:25:39,102 --> 00:25:42,405
and the colony flees
across the Atlantic.
258
00:25:49,446 --> 00:25:52,649
The demand for food
is relentless.
259
00:25:56,786 --> 00:26:01,691
This fluffy coat gives way
to sleek swimming feathers.
260
00:26:02,492 --> 00:26:06,196
Soon, they'll be ready to take
to the water on their own.
261
00:26:07,797 --> 00:26:12,068
Until then, they pester
their parents for food.
262
00:26:16,473 --> 00:26:19,809
The young chicks are unable
to digest whole fish.
263
00:26:21,011 --> 00:26:25,515
So the parents regurgitate a
fatty, high-protein paste.
264
00:26:32,756 --> 00:26:37,594
It's now his partner's turn to
head out to sea and find food.
265
00:26:39,429 --> 00:26:41,464
She joins up with
thousands of other parents
266
00:26:41,464 --> 00:26:43,600
making their way
to the shoreline.
267
00:26:45,969 --> 00:26:51,841
[penguins calling]
268
00:26:54,945 --> 00:26:59,649
[waves breaking]
269
00:27:00,984 --> 00:27:04,020
Back at the nest,
someone is missing.
270
00:27:04,020 --> 00:27:10,126
[music]
271
00:27:12,562 --> 00:27:16,666
He calls out,
but there's no reply.
272
00:27:19,636 --> 00:27:21,738
One of the chicks
is following his mother
273
00:27:21,738 --> 00:27:23,606
all the way to the ocean.
274
00:27:25,542 --> 00:27:31,448
[music]
275
00:27:49,566 --> 00:27:51,534
At the water's edge,
the commuting parents
276
00:27:51,534 --> 00:27:54,571
detect an unwelcome visitor.
277
00:27:57,307 --> 00:28:00,643
A penguin killer is on the hunt.
278
00:28:06,783 --> 00:28:09,719
[Narrator] At this time of year,
huge sea lions,
279
00:28:09,719 --> 00:28:12,121
a hundred times
the penguins' size,
280
00:28:12,121 --> 00:28:15,124
feed along this same coastline.
281
00:28:19,329 --> 00:28:22,665
The penguins must time
their entry just right.
282
00:28:24,000 --> 00:28:28,037
In the water, the adults have
the speed, agility and numbers
283
00:28:28,037 --> 00:28:30,440
to overwhelm the sea lions,
284
00:28:31,574 --> 00:28:35,144
but any young chicks
are easy pickings.
285
00:28:37,146 --> 00:28:43,252
[music]
286
00:28:58,501 --> 00:29:03,072
His fluffy coat quickly becomes
waterlogged, dragging him down.
287
00:29:13,383 --> 00:29:15,785
Mom to the rescue!
288
00:29:18,755 --> 00:29:24,660
[music]
289
00:29:34,771 --> 00:29:40,676
[music]
290
00:29:50,787 --> 00:29:53,823
[music]
291
00:30:12,675 --> 00:30:14,177
[music]
292
00:30:14,177 --> 00:30:16,512
It's been a rough day at school.
293
00:30:19,849 --> 00:30:24,253
With a long, cold walk
back to the nest.
294
00:30:28,157 --> 00:30:34,263
[music]
295
00:30:40,536 --> 00:30:46,275
Reunited, he warms up and waits
for their next meal to arrive.
296
00:30:50,880 --> 00:30:53,483
The chicks have just
two months left to prepare
297
00:30:53,483 --> 00:30:55,852
for a life at sea.
298
00:30:55,852 --> 00:30:59,755
Any that aren't ready to leave
this beach will die of cold
299
00:30:59,755 --> 00:31:02,258
when winter returns.
300
00:31:05,628 --> 00:31:09,532
By February, the summer season
is beginning to turn.
301
00:31:10,466 --> 00:31:12,335
The southernmost tip
of South America
302
00:31:12,335 --> 00:31:14,737
is first to feel the chill,
303
00:31:14,737 --> 00:31:18,608
signaling the imminent departure
of a long-distance migrant.
304
00:31:25,915 --> 00:31:28,251
Thousands of red knots
have spent the summer
305
00:31:28,251 --> 00:31:30,820
gorging on mollusks
and sea worms
306
00:31:30,820 --> 00:31:34,490
in the remote marine wetlands of
Tierra del Fuego.
307
00:31:38,995 --> 00:31:41,531
They arrived in December,
having flown all the way
308
00:31:41,531 --> 00:31:44,433
from the Canadian Arctic.
309
00:31:46,035 --> 00:31:48,471
They've got just three months
to double their weight
310
00:31:48,471 --> 00:31:50,573
before they head home.
311
00:31:50,573 --> 00:31:54,744
An annual round trip
of over 18,000 miles.
312
00:31:59,582 --> 00:32:01,517
It's one of
the longest migrations
313
00:32:01,517 --> 00:32:04,387
made by any animal on Earth.
314
00:32:07,924 --> 00:32:11,961
Enormous flocks of larger
godwits join the red knots,
315
00:32:11,961 --> 00:32:15,698
also here to fuel up
before the long journey north.
316
00:32:19,068 --> 00:32:22,205
Buried just beneath the sand is
317
00:32:22,205 --> 00:32:24,674
an abundant supply
of bloodworms.
318
00:32:28,110 --> 00:32:31,514
But the birds need a little bit
of water to dig them out.
319
00:32:34,784 --> 00:32:39,422
[music]
320
00:32:39,422 --> 00:32:43,059
When the tide is just right,
they take to the air
321
00:32:43,059 --> 00:32:45,595
and head to the flats.
322
00:32:47,697 --> 00:32:53,603
[music]
323
00:33:03,646 --> 00:33:09,552
[music]
324
00:33:14,657 --> 00:33:16,892
They only have a
short window to feed
325
00:33:16,892 --> 00:33:19,228
before the water gets too deep.
326
00:33:21,864 --> 00:33:26,569
The birds probe and plough
through the loose, wet sand,
327
00:33:26,569 --> 00:33:29,872
using their sensitive bills
to detect the slightest change
328
00:33:29,872 --> 00:33:32,541
in water pressure.
329
00:33:33,909 --> 00:33:37,546
Once discovered,
they swallow their prey whole.
330
00:33:45,521 --> 00:33:47,790
They'll gorge themselves
for another month
331
00:33:47,790 --> 00:33:51,260
until they're strong enough to
attempt the return leg north.
332
00:33:52,161 --> 00:33:56,565
Over 9,000 miles back to their
Arctic summer breeding grounds
333
00:33:56,565 --> 00:34:00,002
to escape the bitter
Patagonian winter.
334
00:34:00,002 --> 00:34:06,108
[music]
335
00:34:10,646 --> 00:34:14,016
On their journey up
the east coast of Patagonia,
336
00:34:14,016 --> 00:34:15,918
they'll pass over
another migrant
337
00:34:15,918 --> 00:34:18,821
who's getting ready to leave
the Valdes Peninsula.
338
00:34:23,626 --> 00:34:26,262
By March, the barren beaches
of Punta Norte
339
00:34:26,262 --> 00:34:29,365
are cold and windswept.
340
00:34:32,902 --> 00:34:35,171
Thousands of southern sea lions
341
00:34:35,171 --> 00:34:37,773
feel the summer window
beginning to close.
342
00:34:41,911 --> 00:34:45,114
They've been here since
December, birthing pups.
343
00:34:45,915 --> 00:34:50,419
Now, attentions turn to siring
next year's generation.
344
00:34:51,987 --> 00:34:55,358
The males know their time
to mate is running out.
345
00:35:05,267 --> 00:35:08,771
The most dominant bulls
cause chaos in the ranks.
346
00:35:13,542 --> 00:35:19,448
[music]
347
00:35:29,558 --> 00:35:35,464
[music]
348
00:35:52,014 --> 00:35:56,452
These are the final battles for
this season's mating rights.
349
00:36:00,790 --> 00:36:03,292
It's a very dangerous time
for any females
350
00:36:03,292 --> 00:36:05,194
who have yet to give birth.
351
00:36:07,663 --> 00:36:13,569
[music]
352
00:36:21,844 --> 00:36:25,881
She has just weeks to get her
newborn ready for open water
353
00:36:25,881 --> 00:36:28,484
before winter closes in.
354
00:36:35,257 --> 00:36:38,527
Such a busy colony
can be overwhelming.
355
00:36:41,997 --> 00:36:46,735
She teaches her pup a unique
call, individual to each pair,
356
00:36:46,735 --> 00:36:50,272
in case they get separated
in this late summer rush.
357
00:36:54,176 --> 00:37:00,216
[music]
358
00:37:09,758 --> 00:37:13,896
Her protein-rich milk allows her
pup to quickly put on weight.
359
00:37:13,896 --> 00:37:18,767
But to maintain her milk supply,
she must feed regularly.
360
00:37:26,575 --> 00:37:28,377
Her pup's coat
isn't thick enough
361
00:37:28,377 --> 00:37:30,779
to brave the icy waters yet,
362
00:37:30,779 --> 00:37:33,415
so after nursing,
she has no choice
363
00:37:33,415 --> 00:37:36,118
but to leave her pup on shore.
364
00:37:43,526 --> 00:37:47,096
She may be at sea
for up to three days.
365
00:37:47,096 --> 00:37:53,202
[music]
366
00:37:58,741 --> 00:38:03,078
For this late pup,
it's the wrong time to be alone.
367
00:38:09,251 --> 00:38:11,419
[Narrator]
750-pound fighting males
368
00:38:11,419 --> 00:38:13,855
don't care who's in their way.
369
00:38:19,961 --> 00:38:25,867
[music]
370
00:38:34,242 --> 00:38:36,912
And irritable mothers
don't like sharing milk.
371
00:38:40,015 --> 00:38:45,921
[music]
372
00:38:55,964 --> 00:39:01,136
[music]
373
00:39:01,136 --> 00:39:04,406
The lone pups find
comfort in each other,
374
00:39:05,774 --> 00:39:08,610
while the older ones
playfight and wrestle,
375
00:39:08,610 --> 00:39:12,280
already toughening up
to face Patagonia alone.
376
00:39:19,054 --> 00:39:22,023
When the tide is out,
the reef offers shallow channels
377
00:39:22,023 --> 00:39:24,559
for the pups to play.
378
00:39:25,760 --> 00:39:28,263
And learn to swim.
379
00:39:44,312 --> 00:39:47,482
But when the tide rolls in
and floods the reef,
380
00:39:47,482 --> 00:39:50,352
it's time for the pups
to retreat to shore.
381
00:39:55,590 --> 00:39:58,526
Danger lurks in the surf.
382
00:40:01,630 --> 00:40:07,535
[music]
383
00:40:15,543 --> 00:40:17,412
Orca.
384
00:40:18,647 --> 00:40:21,950
Here in Patagonia, they've
learned to ride the waves
385
00:40:21,950 --> 00:40:24,419
and pluck pups off the beach.
386
00:40:29,691 --> 00:40:32,761
These seasonal migrants
time their arrival
387
00:40:32,761 --> 00:40:36,631
to terrorize naive new additions
to the colony.
388
00:40:37,565 --> 00:40:41,603
At high tide,
the pod moves closer inshore.
389
00:40:42,737 --> 00:40:46,408
The once shallow channel is
now deep enough to enter.
390
00:40:47,575 --> 00:40:50,745
The tide pushes up
the sandy beach.
391
00:40:51,613 --> 00:40:54,449
And another orca lines up...
392
00:40:55,984 --> 00:40:59,220
Waiting for the perfect wave.
393
00:41:03,124 --> 00:41:09,230
[music]
394
00:41:15,503 --> 00:41:18,106
[music]
395
00:41:18,106 --> 00:41:22,811
She needs the outgoing waves
to float her six-ton frame free.
396
00:41:26,915 --> 00:41:32,821
[music]
397
00:41:37,459 --> 00:41:39,794
These are the only orcas
in the world
398
00:41:39,794 --> 00:41:42,664
who have learned
to hunt in this way.
399
00:41:49,604 --> 00:41:52,574
For an adult female,
every return to the beach
400
00:41:52,574 --> 00:41:55,377
is fraught with
potential tragedy.
401
00:42:00,348 --> 00:42:02,884
She calls out to her pup.
402
00:42:05,820 --> 00:42:08,490
There's no reply.
403
00:42:08,490 --> 00:42:11,626
She searches frantically
amongst the chaos.
404
00:42:16,798 --> 00:42:19,868
At last, a familiar cry.
405
00:42:34,549 --> 00:42:37,218
The most dangerous
swimming practice on earth
406
00:42:37,218 --> 00:42:39,888
begins again tomorrow.
407
00:42:45,059 --> 00:42:48,363
[music]
408
00:42:48,363 --> 00:42:52,500
For those that survive the
gauntlet, winter looms.
409
00:42:53,935 --> 00:42:56,704
By April, the colony will vanish
410
00:42:56,704 --> 00:43:01,609
as sea lions disperse along
Patagonia's wild coastline.
411
00:43:06,181 --> 00:43:08,450
This hostile land
at the end of the world
412
00:43:08,450 --> 00:43:11,553
closes her doors again.
413
00:43:16,891 --> 00:43:20,428
Those that risked traveling
thousands of miles to get here
414
00:43:20,428 --> 00:43:23,498
now leave carrying young.
415
00:43:25,567 --> 00:43:29,671
Others must part ways
and endure winter alone,
416
00:43:29,671 --> 00:43:31,406
carrying the strength
of their bond
417
00:43:31,406 --> 00:43:33,675
through the dark months ahead.
418
00:43:35,643 --> 00:43:39,347
And for those that
call Patagonia home,
419
00:43:39,347 --> 00:43:44,552
their only chance of survival
is to keep moving.
420
00:43:44,552 --> 00:43:50,458
[music]